Ariz. man watched home burn in fire that killed 19

By The Associated Press

Posted:
06/30/2013 11:27:34 PM PDT

Updated:
07/01/2013 12:25:57 AM PDT

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A wildfire burns homes in Yarnell, Ariz. on Sunday, June 30, 2013. An Arizona fire chief says the wildfire that killed 19 members of his crew near the town was moving fast and fueled by hot, dry conditions. The fire started with a lightning strike on Friday and spread to 2,000 acres on Sunday amid triple-digit temperatures.

YARNELL, Ariz.—An Arizona man who lost his home in a wildfire that killed 19 people says he saw embers on the roof of his garage in his rear view mirror as he fled.

Chuck Overmyer says he and his wife, Ninabill, left with their three dogs and a 1930 model hot rod on a trailer. They gathered at a nearby bar and grill along with other people and watched on TV as their 1,800-square-foot home went up in flames.

The wildfire destroyed 200 houses in the town of Yarnell and the nearby community of Glen Isla. Nineteen firefighters from an elite crew from Prescott were killed in the blaze.